Rescuers find missing 9-year-old autistic boy

Published: Monday, August 26, 2013 at 11:49 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, August 26, 2013 at 11:49 p.m.

A missing 9-year-old autistic boy described as "fairly seriously handicapped" was found just before 12:30 a.m. Tuesday by a fire department search team after an intense four-hour search.

The search team found Arik Hamilton on a bank of the Mills River. At 12:30 a.m., the boy was being evaluated by EMS for possible hypothermia, but was alert and appeared to be OK, said Capt. Tim Gordon with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office.

Arik was reported missing by his parents at about 8:15 p.m. Monday. The Henderson County Sheriff's Office and personnel from multiple agencies searched a 2-mile area around Village Drive off of South Mills River Road in Mills River.

At 11:45 p.m., they had no leads. Rescue personnel initially searched the immediate area but did not find any signs of the boy, Gordon said. They checked residences and vehicles without any luck.

The Hendersonville Police Department brought in a bloodhound but also found no sign of Arik. A N.C. Highway Patrol helicopter flew over the area shortly before midnight with infrared technology. More manpower was also called in to search.

Gordon, serving as incident commander, said they were told that Arik would hide if his name was called.

Also assisting with the search were the Henderson County Rescue Squad and the Mills River, Etowah-Horse Shoe, Mountain Home, Fletcher, North Transylvania and Skyland fire departments.

<p>A missing 9-year-old autistic boy described as "fairly seriously handicapped" was found just before 12:30 a.m. Tuesday by a fire department search team after an intense four-hour search. </p><p>The search team found Arik Hamilton on a bank of the Mills River. At 12:30 a.m., the boy was being evaluated by EMS for possible hypothermia, but was alert and appeared to be OK, said Capt. Tim Gordon with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office. </p><p>Arik was reported missing by his parents at about 8:15 p.m. Monday. The Henderson County Sheriff's Office and personnel from multiple agencies searched a 2-mile area around Village Drive off of South Mills River Road in Mills River. </p><p>At 11:45 p.m., they had no leads. Rescue personnel initially searched the immediate area but did not find any signs of the boy, Gordon said. They checked residences and vehicles without any luck.</p><p>The Hendersonville Police Department brought in a bloodhound but also found no sign of Arik. A N.C. Highway Patrol helicopter flew over the area shortly before midnight with infrared technology. More manpower was also called in to search. </p><p>Gordon, serving as incident commander, said they were told that Arik would hide if his name was called. </p><p>Also assisting with the search were the Henderson County Rescue Squad and the Mills River, Etowah-Horse Shoe, Mountain Home, Fletcher, North Transylvania and Skyland fire departments.</p>